CSO Register - Frequently Asked Questions

Offenders who were convicted of a qualifying offence* and sentenced to imprisonment prior to legislation coming into force, and are still on a related sentence or order (eg. parole or extended supervision order) on that date, are required to be registered.

*Qualifying offences that were introduced in the Child Protection (Child Sex Offender Government Agency Registration) Amendment Bill enacted in 2025 are not retrospectively applied.

Information received about a registered person is assessed by their Police case manager (and their probation officer if the person is on parole or extended supervision order) and by specialist staff working in the Child Sex Offender Registry. They assess what effect changes in the registered person’s circumstances may have on their risk of reoffending, and whether preventative action needs to take place to try and reduce any increased risk and keep children safe.

The New Zealand Police administer the register and staff from both Corrections and Police are involved in assessing risk of reoffending by registered individuals.

The aim of the Child Sex Offender Register is to improve child safety by having up to date information available on known child sex offenders living in the community that can be used to monitor risk of reoffending.

People who are convicted of committing qualifying sexual offences against children and are sentenced to imprisonment or receive a non-custodial sentence and are ordered by the judge to be registered, are registered on the Child Sex Offender Register. They must have been 18 years or older when they committed the offence.

The register is a record of a range of up-to-date personal information about registered child sex offenders living in the community. It is a tool to help Police and Corrections staff with the monitoring of people who have been convicted for child sex offences, with the aim of preventing re-offending and keeping children safe.

It commenced on 14 October 2016.

A person is registered for either 8 years, 15 years or for life, depending on the severity of the offence they committed and the sentence they received.

The registration period starts on the day the registered person is released from prison into the community, or on the day they were sentenced to a non-custodial sentence and registered at the judge’s discretion.

The offender who is sentenced to imprisonment is recorded on the register when they are sentenced, and given notice that they will be required to report once they are released.

• Name and any aliases
• Date and place of birth
• Nationality
• Address details (including previous addresses)
• Details of any children living in their household
• Details of the caregiver of any children living in their household
• Phone and cell phone details
• Email addresses
• Internet access details
• Identification details, such as photos and records of any tattoos, scars or other distinguishing marks
• Passport and citizenship details
• Employment details (including details of the job, name of employer, address of workplace)
• Volunteer work details
• Education or training courses they attend or are enrolled in
• Vehicle details
• Details of clubs or organisations that they are involved with that have child membership or participation
• Travel plans (including details of children travelling or staying with them)

All registered offenders are required to provide a range of personal information to the Child Sex Offender Register.

An initial report

• They must provide an initial report within 72 hours (3 days) of their release from prison.
• If they receive a non-custodial sentence and are directed to be registered by a judge, this information must be provided within 72 hours (3 days) of being sentenced.
• The initial report covers a range of information including passport details, place of residence, work, car and identity information such as photographs and fingerprints.

Updating any changes

• They are required to update any change of their details within 48 hours (2 days) or 72 hours (3 days) of the change depending on the nature of what has changed.
• They are required to update at least 48 hours BEFORE they change where they are living or anticipate changes to details of children (or their caregivers) living with them.

An annual report

• They are required to update their information annually (that’s called a periodic report).

Travel

• They are required to advise the register of travel plans at least 48 hours (2 days) prior to travel within New Zealand or at least 7 days before travel overseas.

Police and Corrections cannot release information about a registered person unless it is assessed that there is a need to do so to protect a child or children from a significant threat. In these situations, details about the registered offender can be disclosed to the relevant people involved with the children e.g., parents, schools, and caregivers. Guidance can then be given on how to best keep children safe.

Where information about someone on the register is released, there are strict disclosure protocols that must be adhered to. It is an offence (with a penalty of up to six months imprisonment) for someone to pass on that information.

Yes. NZ Police and Corrections staff have the authority to release information if warranted in the interests of public safety.

There is no public access to the register, and only authorised Police and Corrections staff have access to the information on the register.

If you are concerned that a child may be in danger contact your nearest Police station.

Only authorised personnel from Police and Corrections have direct access to the information on the register. There is no public access to information on the register.

Some other Government agencies (Ministry of Social Development, and Housing New Zealand, Department of Internal Affairs and Customs) may be given relevant information about registered individuals in the interests of public safety.

If the registered person fails to comply with reporting requirements, or provides false or misleading information, this is an offence and the person will be liable for a fine and/or a term of imprisonment:

• failing to comply with reporting obligations – fine of up to $2,000 and/or imprisonment of up to one year
• providing false or misleading information – fine of up to $4,000 and/or imprisonment of up to two years

There is a right of review and appeal process available in certain circumstances:

• The offender can have the details of their registration reviewed by the Commissioner of Police if they believe that they have been placed on the register in error or an error was made in working out the length of the reporting period.
• If the offender received a non-custodial sentence and the judge ordered them to be registered, the offender can appeal their registration to the District Court within 20 working days of being given notice of the registration.
• If the offender is registered for life, they can seek a review by the District Court of their reporting obligations after 15 years of registration.
• The Commissioner of Police can review reporting obligations during registration if the offender becomes seriously ill or suffers from an impairment that makes it impossible for them to meet reporting obligations.

A person who has been sentenced to imprisonment for a corresponding offence in another country or is subject to registration requirements for a corresponding offence in another country, will be registered in New Zealand if they intend to move to New Zealand.

They are likely to be served with a registration order at the NZ border and will be required to make an initial report to a Police case manager within 72 hours (3 days) of arrival in New Zealand.

If the registered person has a disability that makes it impossible or impracticable to make a report, a parent, guardian, carer, or other adult person nominated and approved by the person’s Police case manager can report on their behalf.

If the registered person is convicted of another qualifying offence (that’s one related to child sex offending), and is sentenced to prison, they will automatically receive another period of registration. If they receive a non-custodial sentence, it will be up to the judge to decide whether to order a
further registration period. Their length of time on the register will be recalculated considering the new registration requirements.

The register obligations are additional to any other sentence or order requirements the registered person may have.

If a registered person goes overseas, the time they have on the register is put on hold. When they return to New Zealand their registration period recommences. The local law enforcement agency in the country/countries they travel to will be informed of the offender’s travel arrangements. If the travel plans of the registered person change before or during their travel, the changes need to be advised to the register.

Once a registered person has completed their registration period, they will no longer need to report.